the head or leader of an organized body of people; the person highest in authority

the chief of police.

the head or ruler of a tribe or clan

an Indian chief.

( initial capital letter ) U.S. Army . a title of some advisers to the Chief of Staff, who do not, in most instances, command the troop units of their arms or services

Chief of Engineers; Chief Signal Officer.

Informal . boss or leader

We'll have to talk to the chief about this.

Heraldry .

the upper area of an escutcheon.

an ordinary occupying this area.

highest in rank or authority

the chief priest; the chief administrator.

most important; principal

his chief merit; the chief difficulty.

Archaic . chiefly; principally. ?

in chief

in the chief position; highest in rank (used in combination)

editor in chief; commander in chief.

Heraldry . in the upper part of an escutcheon.

adjective

inessential , minor , secondary , subordinate , unimportant , unnecessary

noun

apprentice , employee , servant , subordinate , underling , worker

adjective

arch , capital , cardinal , central , champion , consequential , controlling , crucial , effective , especial , first , foremost , grand , head , highest , key , leading , main , major , momentous , number one , outstanding , paramount , potent , predominant , preeminent , premier , primal , primary , prime , principal , ruling , significant , star , stellar , superior , supreme , telling , uppermost , vital , weighty , top , eminent , preponderant , sovereign

noun

big cheese * , big gun , big wheel * , bigwig * , boss , captain , chieftain , commander , dictator , director , foreperson , general , governor , head , head honcho , head person , honcho * , key player , leader , manager , monarch , overlord , overseer , president , principal , proprietor , ringleader , ruler , sovereign , superintendent , supervisor , suzerain , top brass , top cat , headman , hierarch , master , foreman , forewoman , taskmaster , taskmistress , arch , big , bigwig , capital , central , chef d\'oeuvre , cock of the walk , crucial , dominant , duce , duke , elder , eminent , first , foremost , great , high , honcho , imperator , key , king , lord , magnum opus , main , major , paramount , pendragon , pooh-bah , predominant , preeminent , premier , preponderant , prime , prominent , provost , rector , sachem , sagamore , superior , supreme , vital